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Schools

Parents weigh in about South Cobb redistricting

Milford Elementary School dominated the discussion at the meeting, but numerous concerns presented in what looks will be a much-discussed process.

About 15 concerned citizens commented or asked questions at Tuesday night’s at Campbell High School. Almost half the comments were from citizens asking for the closure of in Marietta.

Doug Shepard, chief administrative officer for Cobb County Schools, explained at the beginning of the meeting that it would be the first of three meetings required by state law where citizens would have the opportunity to make suggestions to the redistricting process.

The most popular topic discussed was the closure of Milford Elementary School. Milford alums and parents of Milford students asked that it be closed because it is located at what they consider a dangerous intersection, Austell Road and Windy Hill Road. A landfill and a shooting range also border the school.

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“We understand that schools are the cornerstone of our community, and for us to ask that our school be closed, I want you to hear the urgency that our biggest concern is the safety of our children,” Christine Abel said. "That intersection is dangerous. We commend the county for some of the additional things that they have done to that intersection to help make it a little bit safer, but at the end of the day, if one of kids is fatally injured it’s not going to be worth it.”

Abel was part of a larger group of about 20 people wearing yellow t-shirts, handing out fliers and carrying signs that read “Close Our School.”

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A new elementary school will be built in Smyrna as part of the redistricting process. As a consequence, one or more of the older schools in proximity to the new school will be closed. The three schools currently being considered for closure are , and . This raised questions.

Leo Smith, a resident of Ward 1 in Smyrna where Argyle is located, asked if CCSD had considered how the property would be repurposed if the school was closed. He also asked if CCSD was considering the gas station on Spring Road as a factor for closure.

Shepard explained that yes, CCSD would consider property value in a choosing which school to close. Other considerations would be schools with below average enrollment, schools in need of extensive renovation and ensuring that schools in the surrounding area could absorb the students from the closed school.

While some citizens asked for schools to be closed, others asked specifically that their schools stay open.

James Dorsley, is worried what affect redistricting will have on his children who attend .

“They’ve done a lot of programs for math and science and for the parents,” he said. “That’s why we moved to where we moved, to attend that school. My concern is if you break up or redistrict where I live, my neighborhood, which is Heritage of Vinings, now my kids will be redistricted to a school that hasn’t been established, does not have the programs that we currently have at Teasley.”

Shepard implied that the “recent significant investment” made at Teasley would be considered when deciding which schools to close.

One parent was concerned about whether children who are not currently school aged were being considered in the redistricting process. Sean Black is the father of a toddler and has another baby on the way.

This was a concern shared by Councilwoman Teri Anulewicz, who noted earlier this week that there were about 30 children in a neighborhood in her ward, only 10 of whom are school-aged. Anulewicz encouraged parents like Black with young children to get involved with the redistricting process 

“They’re trying to get a snapshot of your community,” she said.

Some citizens were split over redistricting issues.

Maura Johnson is a Harmony Leland alumna and doesn’t want her sister to be rezoned for . Some parents in her neighborhood had requested to be rezoned for that school because their children are involved in extra-curricular activities in that neighborhood.

“While that is important, and it was important to these parents who said we should send our kids to Nickajack because they play at the park with kids who go to Nickajack,” Johnson said. “ It’s also important to take into consideration that you’re in elementary school. These are foundational years for your social skills. It’s important to teach your children to branch out. You can play with children at the park, but remember to play with children who go to school who come from a different neighborhood, who are not right next to you.”

Toni Hannah disagreed. She’d like her children to go to Nickajack because they have activities in that area. She and her husband also work in Smyrna, which would make it more convenient when taking her kids to school.

In addition to opening the floor to questions and comments, the meeting’s organizers set up laptops in the lobby where people could leave comments on the CCSD South County Redistricting wall. Citizens will be able to leave comments on this website throughout the redistricting process.

We’ve tried to mimic the wall from Facebook on our website, which gives you the opportunity to post a comment,” Shepard said. “More importantly, you and your fellow community members can see your comments and follow the discussion. If comments are made that are relevant, you’ll be able to have the same access that we have. I want to make it clear that my staff, I will make this commitment to you, that either myself of my staff will read every comment that is posted and we will read every email when you email us.”

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